vicegerent

American  

[vahys-jeer-uhnt] / vaɪsˈdʒɪər ənt /

noun

1. an officer appointed as deputy by and to a sovereign or supreme chief.

2. a deputy in general.

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adjective

1. exercising delegated powers.

2. characterized by delegation of powers.

vicegerent British  

/ ˌvaɪsˈdʒɛrənt /

noun

1. a person appointed to exercise all or some of the authority of another, esp the administrative powers of a ruler; deputy

2. RC Church the Pope or any other representative of God or Christ on earth, such as a bishop

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adjective

1. invested with or characterized by delegated authority

Other Word Forms

• vicegeral
  adjective
• vicegerency
  noun

Etymology

Origin of vicegerent

1530–40; < New Latin vicegerent- (stem of vicegerēns managing instead of ), equivalent to Latin vice ( see vice ³) + gerent- (stem of gerēns, present participle of gerere to carry on, conduct); see -ent

Example Sentences

The appointment of a Vicegerent to the Almighty, and the edict requiring homage to be done to him, are announced "on a day" to the host of Angels assembled by special summons for this purpose.

From Milton by Raleigh, Walter Alexander, Sir

Witold sent his nephew Koribut, who swore to maintain the four articles, and was installed at Prague, as "Vicegerent of Bohemia."

From A History of Germany From the Earliest Times to the Present Day by Taylor, Bayard

The Sultan is head of the ecclesiastical, military, and civil law, and is universally considered by his subjects God's Vicegerent, or Lieutenant on Earth.

From An Account of Timbuctoo and Housa Territories in the Interior of Africa by Jackson, James Grey

He demanded of his Vicegerent what remedy he had to suggest, and Cromwell had none.

From Henry VIII. by Pollard, A. F. (Albert Frederick)

Vicar of Christ, title assumed by the Pope, who claims to be the Vicegerent of Christ on earth.

From The Nuttall Encyclopædia Being a Concise and Comprehensive Dictionary of General Knowledge by Nuttall, P. Austin

Related Words

• pontiff